There are so many habits people have that truly get on my nerves, to the point of feeling myself gritting my teeth in frustration, and often having to bite my tongue to stop myself automatically correcting them. To make this easier to read I have broken the habits down into categories as follows:

Grammatical Errors

This is my personal particular phobia, and to list but a few here goes:

1) People who when offered something such as second helpings during a meal say "I don't want none", instead of "I don't want any". By using the double negative they are implying that they do want second helpings.

2) People who pronounce the letter H, as being 'haitch' instead of 'aitch' as it should be. They seem to feel a need to sound the letter at the beginning of saying it, even though this is totally wrong and makes me want to drag them round the room by various parts of their anatomy until they pronounce it the right way.

3) Friends who ask if I will "Borrow them some money", instead of "lend them some money", or they offer to "borrow me something" that I need.

4) Similar to number 1) on this list is the habit people have of using the word "no" instead of "any", e.g. "I don't want no more".

Spelling Errors

Another truly annoying one, much as in Shadesbreath's Hub, especially when the words are either pretty simple to spell, or there are two possible spellings meaning different things, yet they use the wrong one every time.

1) 'Rediculous' instead of 'ridiculous', (thanks for that one Shadesbreath, great example).

2) When people are referring to 'Coarse Fishing', but spell it as 'Course Fishing', inferring that the angler is heading off on some kind of fishing education course.

3) People who use the word 'to' when 'too' would have been the appropriate spelling, e.g. 'There are to many chips on my plate', when it should be 'There are too many chips on my plate'

Verbal Bad Habits

These are the habits when I seriously doubt the person is even aware they are doing it.

1) In Guernsey the true locals have a habit of saying "Ay" at the end of every sentence, e.g. 'I went to the pub today Ay! It was great Ay! I saw John in there and he a new job Ay!' The result is that every sentence seems to require an exclamation mark at the end of it.

2) People who unnecessarily swear throughout their sentences, usually using pretty strong swear words, e.g. The Bus Driver I used to work with who must have used the F**k word at least three times in every sentence he spoke. This became truly distracting, as you found yourself wondering how many more words he would get through before it reappeared, so you missed out on whatever it was he was actually talking about.

A second example of this was a London guy who fished at our lake a few days back. Nice guy, but called everyone a 'C*nt' every other sentence. A bit of an odd experience when the first thing a guy says to you upon speaking to you is, ' You alright C*nt'. One of our anglers was laughing about it and said this guy had called him a C*nt about four times in ten minutes.

3) Old people who insist on "tutting" in a disapproving way whenever they feel they have the moral high ground. This is usually quickly followed by pursed up lips. Examples of this behaviour can be seen when elderly people see a group of children simply playing in the street, or when they watch a TV programme that might have a few swear words in or images of nudity.

Physical Bad Habits

You know the ones, habits people have that are distracting, annoying or downright repulsive.

1) Nose picking, especially if they eat it afterwards. Makes me want to vomit, and the fact they are doing it in public is even more worrying.

2) Men who can't stop playing with their groins, treating their willy as some kind of Comfort Blanket.

3) Nail biting. I am guilty of this one myself, but still hate it when I see other people doing it, especially when they seem so determined to rip the nail off, that they are virtually dribbling in their efforts.

4) Snoring. Yes I know this one is unavoidable for many people, but if you have ever tried to get to sleep next to a heavy snorer you will know how close you come to whacking them over the head with the nearest baseball bat just so you can finally get some sleep.

5) People who read over your shoulder, especially newspapers or emails you are typing, really off-putting and considered pretty rude behaviour.

6) Bosses who watch over your shoulder whilst you are typing a letter for them. If one thing is guaranteed to cause you to make mistakes, and your fingers to turn into hopelessly out of control lumps of jelly, it is being watched so closely.

7) People who interrupt you mid-sentence and start talking about something completely different. This is not only enough to make me want to choke them, but it is also very insulting, as it shows they were clearly not interested in your conversation, or not listening to a word you said.

8) Men and women, (but mainly men), who can't stop fiddling with their mobile phones, changing the settings or generally going through the functions. I call it 'a man's spare penis', as if he can't, or won't play with his bits in public (see point 2 above), then the phone seems to be the next best alternative.

9) Continuing to get pregnant multiple times when surviving off benefits that the workforce pay taxes to finance. An example of this is a couple here on Guernsey who now have 13 children, and the woman is pregnant again. Neither of them work, as he claims he needs to be home to help her cope with all the children, and that he is overqualified for most jobs he is offered. They live in a Council House, drive a huge virtually new vehicle (to hold the many children), must be earning thousands in benefits every month because each child they have produces yet more revenue for them. Her excuse for behaving like a sausage factory is simply, 'I love kids'. What also annoys me is the lack of thought for the kids she already has. When asked if they would have lots of children when they grew up, virtually all of them said no, as they hated the fact they ended up looking after most of their siblings because of the size of the family. In addition to this there are the moral repercussions, such as the drain on the planet, and how all of these children will grow up to need homes of their own, electricity, jobs, cars etc.

10) Men who hog the TV remote, and even when they doze off in the chair they manage to maintain a firm grip on it. If you gently try to prise it away from their snoring body, they immediately wake up and claim they were watching whatever the programme on TV was at the time.

And Finally

I am sure I have missed of loads more habits that will come to me over the next few days, but please feel free to add your own personal favourites to the comments section as I am sure many of them we will have in common.

Any ideas for suitable cures also welcomed:)

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Comments 58 comments

omg my fiancé drives me nuts with the groin thing. his excuse? "i'm just itching".. BS! lmao. grrr. i bite my nails, but i have been really good about it and holy hell, i don't bite them down that low, sheesh. that's disturbing. o.o lmao apparently i snore a bit, which is embarassing, but you can blame my mother. :P i cannot stand other people snoring, though -- if it's loud.

i have a fantastic one to add about the pregnancy one. this girl i just met at work has 6 kids [2 kids and quadruplets] and just found out the other day that she is pregnant with her 7th!!!!!! omg. insane, yes? and she's only 27. o.o

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

Thanks agvulpes, yes, number 7 really annoys me too.

Starkissed, your friend must be exhausted after all those babies. Fancy cutting short your life so much at aged only 27. It is so easy to wait a few more years when you are that young.

agvulpes 8 years ago from Australia

As a rider to no 7, and I'm sure we all know one of these is the person that hogs all of the conversation and just when there is a pause for breath and you open your mouth to say something they dash off.Well I got to go now bye.

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

LOL, well said agvulpes, agvulpes, AGVULPES, where are you???

Christoph Reilly 8 years ago from St. Louis

Hi, Misty: "Nose picking, especially if they eat it afterwards???!!!" What the heck is going on over there in Guernsey? Why, I stopped eating mine weeks ago!

Very funny hub!

Amanda Severn 8 years ago from UK

Funny hub Misty. I totally agree about the bogies. Do you know what the difference between a bogie and a brussels sprout is? youcan't get kids to eat sprouts! LOL

Shadesbreath 8 years ago from California

The "borrow me some money" thing I think falls into the dialect category and subsequently gets defended in the same line as does "ax," as in, "Let me ax you a question," and "pacific," as in, "Let me ax you a pacific question." I confess to getting shudders down my spine whenever I hear them, but, unlike typos and poor spelling, apparently it's not appropriate to point them out.

I have to say though, we have to be careful about how high-and-mighty we become, lest we risk becoming those ticking old people you mentioned. On my hub, Paraglider tossed off a delightful piece of wit that went right by me for my dialectical (perhaps?) usage of a word that, had I known it's original meaning might not have rendered me a hypocrit, but since I didn't, did. That's why it's good to hang out with smart people whenever you can, they keep you humble.

And I am almost incapable of producing anything written with someone standing over my shoulder. I don't even like people looking at me from across a room. I can feel their beady little eyes boring into me and pulling off some of my energy.

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

Christph, really, you only stopped weeks ago?

Amanda, totally gross, and typical of kids.

Shadesbreath, I so hate the "Ax" one and the "pacific" one, but cannot see why it is innapropriate to point them out as they are wrong after all. :)

Shadesbreath 8 years ago from California

Some say asserting grammatical rules or standards of pronunciation on these particlar words represents racist attitudes toward dialect. I dissagree, as standard use is standard use, but, apparently there are two distinct camps. As a conservative minded person, I like to see mastery of a language or at least an attempt at it before applying change that appears to happen purely out of ignorance and lack of academic discipline. On the other hand, the more liberal minded will argue that the "properness" of the English language being imposed on any given culture as handed down by British Imperialists and their cultural progeny does not deserve respect and is a yoke that should be thrown off as means of furthering liberty.

Both sides have a point I suppose, and I've tried to treat both fair in my explanation. I hope I have.

Christoph Reilly 8 years ago from St. Louis

Darn! I've fallen off the boogie wagon. Ummmm.

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

I see what you are saying Shadesbreath, but all the people who I have heard use those terms, e..g "borrow me some money", have been from the same ethnic background and culture as I am.

Christoph, I am shocked,bad bad boy, rapped knuckles!

agvulpes 8 years ago from Australia

I would love to be able to agree with Shadesbreath but I have no bloody idea what he is talking about I'll go and ax Spryte. (joke mate).

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

LOL Avgulpes :)

Ananta65 8 years ago

I hate the habit of disapproving any habits a person might have. Nag, nag, nag!

Great hub, Misty! :) It got my thumb up and this time it even wasn't to pick my nose *lol*

Eric Graudins 8 years ago from Australia

Tutt. Tutt.

TuttTuttTutt.

TuttTuttTuttTuttTuttTuttTuttTuttTutt.

{Purses lips} {and again}

Sits down and extracts several fingernail fulls of belly button lint.

Blends it with tobacco.

And chews the mixture.

You young whippersnappers are just too much. Don't know what Hub Pages is coming to these days.

And what the hell is coarse fishing anyway?

Would I need a hair shirt?

B.T. Evilpants 8 years ago from Hell, MI

The grammatical errors drive me nuts. Didn't nobody never learn these people how two talk? I'm glad you writ this hub too let people no how silly they sound.

Ananta65 8 years ago

Yeah, you're right BT. They drive my nuts to!

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

Brilliant comments by all of you,

Ananta, it can't be easy using your Thumb to pick your nose, unless you have a very big one, (nose I mean!)

Eric, all I can say is yuk yuk and double yuk re-the belly button lint and tobacco.

In my city, there is no profanity permitted on city busses, One word of it gets you ejected from the bus & there are warning signs posted. If you won't leave when ejected, the driver parks the bus and calls the police, with the doors locked closed so you cannot get away. Drivers that use profanity are fired, btw. There is a transmission device to catch everything that happens on each bus shift at teh main office. The city did this because of high levels of disorderly conduct on the busses the last couple of years. Not any more!

Ananta65 8 years ago

I’m outta here. Seems like Misty is measuring me up! How rude! This is exactly why I developed physical habit number 2.

Eric Graudins 8 years ago from Australia

Physical #10 (possession of the remote control) is enshrined in the Australian Constitution as an inalienable right of all Australian men.

Misty, I think you mentioned in another hub that you were thinking of settling in Australia some time ago.

Good job you didn't. You would have certainly failed the "Remote Control Attitude Test", and have been put right back on the plane.

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

Ananta, did you develop physical habit number two to ensure your manhood always seemed somewhat impressive due to it's errrrmmm, upright stature??

Eric, you are right, I did nearly emigrate to Australia, but would have failed the remote control test for certain. In our house I always have control of the remote as I find my Husband is irresponsible in his choice of programmes otherwise, and we would end up watching football or travel programmes full time.

Patty, I so wish they had insisted on the 'no profanity' rule when I worked on the buses.

Ananta65 8 years ago

No, no, no! I think I’m going to write a rant hub on misinterpretations! I developed that habit to provide my manhood as you call it (believe me, my manhood is determined by so much more than just that physical characteristic) a shelter from these measuring looks by the likes of you :P

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

Oh I so look forward to that Hub, will it include photos???

Ananta65 8 years ago

O Behave!

Dottie1 8 years ago from MA, USA

That nail biting thing is disgusting especially when they put out their hand for a shake. YUK! It's the only time my handshake goes limp and my lip curls under!

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

Smirks at Ananta with lecherous look in eye :)

Yes Dottie I agree, but as a nail biter myself I have to admit it is a very hard habit to break. I do succeed periodically though, and then a year later I usually have a relapse.

Dottie1 8 years ago from MA, USA

I may have over exaggerated on my comment misty. I was thinking of the picture above, fingers all infected with fungus, saliva infested, raw and red and sore! I say again that's Y U K K Y !!!!! We all have bad habits that need to be broken and I don't believe for a minute your nails look that bad. LOL

agvulpes 8 years ago from Australia

I pacifically hate it when people spell your name incorrectly specially after you have axed em not to. As for breaking bad habits I find it very easy, I've even given up cigarettes. Oh probably 50 times.

Eric Graudins 8 years ago from Australia

Tut and tut again.

[ Nameless old person sends email to Bard asking him to go round to Misty's and throw a bucket of cold water over her. ]

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

Eric, how cruel, and just when I was enjoying myself so much. Also a bit of a long way for Bard to come bearing in mind he is in Tenerife and I am in Guernsey :)

agvulpes, I soooo get the cigarette comment.

Dottie, yes those nails do look awful but if I am honest mine are pretty nasty to look at too. Perhaps this will inspire me for another bash at growing them :)

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

I have just heard another grammatical one that should be added to the list. My Husband is developing patches on his chin where the hair doesn't grow any more. He asked me, 'Do you think it will notice?'

Of course my immediate answer was, 'Don't you mean do you think it will show?'

Misha 8 years ago from DC Area

What I find especially funny is that your Grammar Errors #3 works exactly the same in Russian! :D

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

Fair point Misha :)

Ananta65 8 years ago

It didn't notice until you drew attention to it, Misty :P

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

Arrrrgggghhhh Ananta :)

SuperStar 8 8 years ago from Indianapolis, Indiana

This is my first time reading anything of yours and it made me want to check out some of your other hubs. There was a kid in my 4th grade class that did exactly what #1 says in Physical Bad Habits. Isn`t that gross! Nice work and I agree! :)Nice comment B.T.

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

Thanks SuperStar 8, I hope you enjoy my other Hubs too. I remember sitting next to a girl in class one day who had the most enormous booger trapped in her nosehair. It was like a morbid fascination for me, as I could see all the little wrinkles in it and everything. It made me feel so ill I almost wish she had picked it and eaten it just to remove it from my sight. :)

Misha 8 years ago from DC Area

Hey Cindy, your hubscore is 100 right now! :)

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

I just noticed that too Misha, that is twice in under a week, so I am well chuffed :) (smiles all the way to the next can of cider).

adrainsean 8 years ago

most people use this double negative language to stand cool in front of all their friends and all around the Hoods.....

just simple complexity ideas in head...

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

You are probably right adrainsean.

SuperStar 8 8 years ago from Indianapolis, Indiana

Ewww!!! Nice description. You just ruined my appetite. :) :D :O :P

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

Thanks for commenting Superstar 8, sorry I ruined your appetite :)

SuperStar 8 8 years ago from Indianapolis, Indiana

Well I wasn`t going to eat THAT much so it didn`t hurt. :)

mistyhorizon2003 8 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

That's a relief, glad you enjoyed the hub then :)

Midnightsky 5 years ago

I was sat talking to an elderly gentleman at the bus stop a few weeks ago when suddenly he interrupted what I was saying and changed the subject completely! I had a terrible urge to choke the life out of him I'll tell you! It makes me see red.

mistyhorizon2003 5 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

LOL Midnightsky,I am really glad you didn't, even though I know it is really annoying. :)

Midnightsky 5 years ago

It was the thought of going to prison that changed my mind, otherwise I think I would have done! I think out of everything that's I find annoying, that definitely comes first. My brother has a habit of flicking his crowballs at me, but beside that, its nothing lol

mistye 4 years ago

What about the old foot shuffler, who can be heard coming down a thirty foot hallway.

mistyhorizon2003 4 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

Yep, another good one mistye :)

emr888 4 years ago

What about people that when you tell them something, then later they tell you the same thing back and pretend it was their idea????

How about saying "nucular" instead of nuclear??

ANNOYING!!

mistyhorizon2003 4 years ago from Guernsey (Channel Islands) Author

So true emr888, I have especially experienced the first example though :)